Africa’s ‘unprecedented’ Ebola outbreak could reach the UK, warns top health official
Dr Jean Kaseya of the Africa CDC says the current Ebola surge could spread beyond Africa without urgent funding and preparedness.
Scale of the current outbreak
The outbreak, now the 17th recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has climbed past 10,000 cases with almost 5,000 deaths. Of the total 10,091 cases, 10,060 have occurred in the DRC, resulting in 4,887 deaths. Two deaths have been recorded in Uganda and two in Kenya.
Geographic spread
First declared by the DRC health ministry on 15 May in Ituri province, sequencing shows the virus began circulating in February. The disease has since moved into Kenya and Uganda in East Africa, and a case was confirmed in Abuja, Nigeria, after a woman arrived from Uganda. France is the only non‑African nation to report a case, involving a doctor who returned from the DRC in June.
Official warning
Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, described the spread as “unprecedented,” noting it is the first time three African regions have been affected simultaneously. He likened the potential trajectory to the Covid pandemic, emphasizing that no country is safe if they don’t take appropriate measures.
Kaseya urged all nations, not only in Africa, to raise preparedness levels and explore treatment options, warning that the situation could shift from an African crisis to a global hotspot, including the United Kingdom.
Challenges to response
The response has been hampered by shortages of protective equipment, unpaid health‑worker wages leading to strikes, ongoing conflict in the DRC, mistrust of officials, misinformation, and reductions in global aid.
Calls for action
Kaseya will convene African health ministers on Wednesday to push for stronger cross‑border cooperation. He recommends implementing screening and testing at points of entry and exit for travelers from affected areas.
Treatment outlook
The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which no approved treatment exists. Vaccine trials are in progress, with results anticipated within three to six months.
Without increased funding and coordinated international measures, the risk of the virus reaching new continents remains a serious concern.
